How to Stop Maggots From Taking Over Your Trash Bin

Step-by-Step Instructions:
The Fizz: Sprinkle the baking soda evenly across the bottom and up the sides of the empty, dry trash bin.
The Scrub: Spray or pour the white vinegar over the baking soda. Let it fizz and sit for 5 to 10 minutes to break down any sticky residue.
The Shine: Use a long-handled brush or a dedicated rag to scrub the inside of the bin. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and let it dry completely in the sun before putting a new bag in. (Maggots love moisture, so a bone-dry bin is your best defense!)
Step 3: Prevention (My Mother-in-Law’s Golden Rules of Trash)
Prevention is always easier than a cure. Here are my no-fuss, hands-off habits to keep flies and maggots far away from my kitchen:
✅ Seal the “High-Risk” Foods: Meat, dairy, and overripe fruit are maggot magnets. If I’m not taking the trash out immediately, I wrap these scraps tightly in a separate small bag or keep them in a sealed container in the freezer until trash day.
✅ The “Avocado Lover’s” Trash Tip: Since I have a strong personal preference for avocados and incorporate them into almost every single meal (even though my children absolutely do not share my liking for them!), I generate a lot of avocado pits and skins. While they are healthy for me, decaying fruit skins can attract fruit flies. I always wrap my avocado scraps tightly in a paper towel or put them directly into a small, lidded compost pail on the counter, rather than leaving them exposed in the main bin.
✅ Keep It Dry: Never throw away liquids (like old milk or soup) directly into the trash can. Pour them down the drain first. A dry trash environment is a maggot-proof environment.